denunciatory

9.8

Showing strong criticism and warning of punishment for bad actions

adjective
/dɪˈnʌnʃəˌtɔri/

: denunciatorio

And so, for example, sputtering denunciatory slogans is a popular new approach to making art out of unlikely materials.

Examples

The editorial was filled with denunciatory remarks aimed at the government’s poor handling of the crisis.
Gwen gets the car, her clothes, and an ugly, denunciatory letter from her ex-mother-in-law.

Fiction book (2000)
Another can be its failure to realize that even in the Bible, denunciatory prophecy and its single-minded insistence on particular values are by no means the whole story of salvation or of the moral life.

Academic text (1992)
These Shadow File letters, addressed to President Kimmich, contained copies of earlier denunciatory emails solicited by Gallagher outside of the bounds of accepted CUNY procedures.

Academic text (2003)
The teacher wrote a denunciatory statement about the student's behavior in class.
After the scandal broke, many politicians released denunciatory statements condemning the actions of their colleagues.

Synonyms

pejorative

vsdenunciatory

15 8.2

Showing strong dislike of someone or something, often used about words

is stronger in tone and can imply formal condemnation or punishment

damning

vsdenunciatory

3 7.5

Saying someone will go to hell because of their sins

is more general and can include nonreligious punishment warnings

unsparing

vsdenunciatory

2 7.9

Very harsh and not forgiving when criticizing or acting

adds a deliberate warning or threat of punishment to harshness

condemnatory

vsdenunciatory

1 7.9

Showing strong disapproval of someone or something

can also include warning of punishment beyond plain disapproval

excoriating

vsdenunciatory

Formal

1 8.5

Expressing very strong criticism

adds the element of formal punishment warning as well as criticism

opprobrious

vsdenunciatory

Formal

1 9.9

Making people feel ashamed in public with strong criticism

places more weight on official condemnation or punishment warnings

denunciative

vsdenunciatory

9.3

Showing strong disapproval and warning of punishment

is identical in meaning covering warnings and strong condemnation

comminatory

vsdenunciatory

Archaic

9.9

A warning of punishment to frighten people who break rules

focuses more on moral condemnation than merely issuing threats

damnatory

vsdenunciatory

Literature

9.9

Showing very strong disapproval and saying someone deserves punishment

is broader, not limited to religious or eternal punishment tone

denigratory

vsdenunciatory

Offensive

8.9

Giving unfair critical comments that make someone seem worse

is stronger and may also threaten punishment or formal censure

dislogistic

vsdenunciatory

Formal

9.9

Showing disapproval by insulting or criticizing someone

is more condemnatory and can include warnings of punishment

Antonyms

commendatory

Literature

7.5

Showing praise for someone or something

approving

1.3

Showing that you like and accept someone or something

How Condemning

vitriolic

Offensive

10 9.3

denunciatory

9.8

accusatory

10 6.3

critical

210 3.8

disapproving

5 3.4

Surface Forms

denunciatory positive

Morphology

denunciatory = denunciation (transparent) = denunci + atory

The adjective is directly formed from denounce/denunciation and its meaning ('expressing condemnation') follows the base verb/noun.

Etymology

The word denunciatory comes from Latin parts de- 'away' and nuntiare 'to announce', and is like the familiar word announce but used to point out someone's wrong actions. So, a denunciatory statement publicly blames someone or warns they may be punished.